The NIIMBL eXperience is an exclusive in-person, all expenses paid immersion program that offers students real-world insight into biopharmaceutical industry careers through hands-on activities and direct interactions with industry professionals.
Key program goals:
Student applications for all seven NIIMBL eXperience 2025 locations are now open. Explore your career possibilities in the biopharma industry. Apply now. The application deadline is February 7, 2025.
The program is open to students with a status of Freshman or Sophomore or have completed 60 credits or less. Students must be actively enrolled in a degree program. Participation is limited to domestic students living within the United States.
139 students from 88 academic institutions in first 5 years
59 host organizations
7 regional teams selected for 2025
The NIIMBL eXperience will take place at seven locations throughout the United States in 2025. Student applications for all locations are now open. Apply by February 7, 2025.
June 1 – 7, 2025
The NIIMBL eXperience at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) from June 1-7, 2025, is designed to tell the story of biopharmaceuticals from discovery to patient delivery to a cohort of diverse students from Upstate New York.
The College’s Stack Center for Biopharmaceutical Education and Training (CBET) in conjunction with Biomed Innova, Curia Global, Cytiva, Next Advance Inc., Neural Stem Cell Institute (NSCI), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Sartorius, University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science & Engineering, and The RNA Institute, will host an array of programming designed to illustrate the broad spectrum of career paths available within the biopharma industry. Students will explore the discovery, biomanufacturing, and delivery of therapies, including antibody, cell, gene, and mRNA technologies; learn via hands-on activities in fermentation, nanoparticle formation, and flow cytometry; and discuss and view RNA computer simulations while touring a COVID-testing laboratory. In addition, participants will tour three local small businesses that highlight innovation and entrepreneurship in the biopharma industry.
As the week progresses, students will visit development and manufacturing sites to witness scale-up and cGMP processes and discuss the complex process of manufacturing lipids for vaccines and therapies as well as state-of-the-art synthetic platforms for antibody drug-conjugates, cell-based therapies for regenerative medicine and medical devices for drug delivery. Participants will compound a drug to make an infusion bag, deliver immunizations and patient counseling.
In addition, ACPHS will host peer and professional networking events with diversity discussion panels. Students will have an opportunity to build individualized branding plans and participate in a 360-degree feedback session to help identify career pathways utilizing the network of resources discovered during this NIIMBL eXperience. By convening ACPHS’ regional strengths and bringing together current biopharma students and industry professionals, participants engage in a career support network that ensures continued mentoring and success.
June 1 – 7, 2025
The Golden LEAF Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center (BTEC) at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., will host the NIIMBL eXperience @ NC State from June 1–7, 2025.
The primary goal of the program at BTEC is to raise awareness among students from diverse backgrounds about the educational and workforce opportunities in biomanufacturing that are available in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park area. Throughout the week, the program will focus on current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) biopharmaceutical manufacturing, specifically upstream and downstream unit operations. Students will take part in in-depth lab exercises focused on aseptic gowning, bacterial growth in fermenters for recombinant protein expression, and separation and purification processes common in the industry.
This program will also address student career development and academic pathways while supporting a long-term outlook for diversity in the STEM workforce. Students will engage in networking and professional development opportunities with biopharmaceutical giants such as Merck, Pfizer, Biogen, and Novo Nordisk. Students will further enhance their marketability through tailored resume and LinkedIn activities. Additionally, reflection sessions with mentors and one-on-one meetings with career counselors will help guide students to find the right fit for a rewarding career in biomanufacturing.
June 1 – 7, 2025
The NIIMBL eXperience @ PRSTRT is an exclusive, premier, all-expenses-paid immersion program. This unique opportunity is specifically designed for first- and second-year STEM university and community college students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Puerto Rico provides a vibrant tropical setting and a strategic position within global supply chains, making it a critical player in the worldwide biopharmaceutical landscape. It’s not what’s next in biopharma — it’s where.
Over the course of this week-long program, participants will be fully engaged in hands-on training, exploring biomanufacturing processes at the Science City of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT). This immersive experience will offer students real-world insights into cutting-edge developments in the biopharma sector. Exclusive site visits to industry leaders such as Amgen, Lilly, Sartorius, and Becton Dickinson will further enhance their understanding and excitement about the industry. Alongside technical skills, students will take part in professional development workshops focused on resume building, networking, and career preparation, with a special emphasis on diversity in STEM.
Aiming to inspire students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, this program empowers participants to open doors to STEM careers while building the confidence and connections they need to pursue these paths enthusiastically. All travel, housing, meals, and program expenses are fully covered, and participants will receive a $1,000 stipend. The NIIMBL eXperience @PRSTRT not only offers a career-defining opportunity but also invites students to experience the beauty and strategic importance of Puerto Rico—where biopharmaceutical manufacturing is in our DNA and continues to thrive at the forefront of the global industry.
June 2 – 6, 2025
Embark on an immersive experience this summer during the The NIIMBL eXperience @ Purdue University. This paid one-week training experience, scheduled for summer 2025, is your opportunity to discover the fast-evolving world of biopharmaceutical manufacturing—one of the most in-demand sectors in the healthcare industry today.
With the week’s base camp at Purdue University’s downtown Indianapolis location, The NIIMBL eXperience @ Purdue University offers a rare opportunity to engage in hands-on training that bridges academic learning and real-world application. Gain unparalleled exposure to the intricacies of pharmaceutical manufacturing, from understanding the science behind drug production to the introduction of cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
In addition to the in-depth learning experience in collaboration with Purdue University, Ivy Tech and BioCrossroads, participants will visit top pharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lilly and Simtra, gaining perspectives on how these leaders operate in the pharmaceutical industry. These visits provide a unique behind-the-scenes look at how life-saving medicines are produced at scale.
June 22 – 28, 2025
Santa Clara University (SCU) is excited to host a one-week experiential program designed to inspire and support college students from underrepresented communities in their exploration of biotechnology. Participants will build data analytics skills, visit leading corporate labs and production facilities, network with professionals, and hear from experts about the grand challenges and opportunities in biopharmaceutical manufacturing as the industry scales a new generation of breakthrough therapies. The program will take place starting on Sunday, June 22, 2025 through Saturday, June 28, 2025 and will be hosted on the SCU campus in Santa Clara, California.
In partnership with Biocom Institute (Biocom California’s education and workforce training arm), Genentech, Inc. (biopharma manufacturer), and Agilent, Inc. (advanced instrumentation and analytical tools), the program will provide participants insights into a wide range of career paths, critical skills, and professional roles that intersect with the biopharmaceutical “factory of the future” and how that future will transform patient lives and make a compelling societal impact. Through a series of industry visits, technical sessions, panels, professional mentoring, and connections to internship pipelines, the program is designed to support students from a variety of disciplines including biology, bioengineering, computer engineering, and life sciences to accelerate and activate their careers in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
June 2 – 6, 2025
University of Houston – a minority serving institution – is thrilled to welcome regional college students to NIIMBL Experience @ UH, a five-day learning program designed to introduce students to promising careers in biomanufacturing and motivate them to pursue degrees in biotechnology and related sciences. Greater Houston is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the country, a richness reflected in the dynamic student population at the University of Houston.
The immersive NIIMBL Experience @ UH is scheduled from June 2-6, 2025. Guided by experienced instructors, students will engage in lectures and hands-on training focused on operating bioreactors for biologics production and performing downstream protein purification using chromatography. The itinerary includes visits to several prominent companies including Hope Biosciences, which is engaged in manufacturing stem cells for lupus and traumatic brain injury, Neurogene, which develops gene therapy for rare neurological disorders, Immatics, which engineers T-cells to fight cancer, and Lonza Biologics, a world-renowned contract manufacturer for cell and gene therapy drugs for sickle cell anemia and other hereditary disorders.
Students will engage with industry professionals and gain insights into their diverse roles within their organizations, the career trajectories that they pursued, and the employment prospects in biomanufacturing. Company visits are designed to provide plenty of networking opportunities and offer crucial advice on navigating corporate cultures. We will be touring the Texas Medical Center where many hospitals serve as pivotal research and clinical trial centers for testing investigational drugs. The TMC Innovation Center and the J&J Innovation Labs house many startup companies dedicated to pioneering medicines for the future. Additionally, distinguished experts will guide students on enhancing personal branding and crafting winning resumes. Speakers from NSBE and SHPE will share their invaluable experiences as minority professionals in the STEM field and inspire students toward success.
June 22 – 27, 2025
The NIIMBL eXperience @ Wistar is an immersive weeklong program designed for undergraduate students to delve into biotechnology. Held from Sunday, June 22 to Friday, June 27 at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia—America’s first independent biomedical research institute and a leader in cancer, immunology, and infectious disease research—this program offers hands-on laboratory training, industry insights, and valuable networking opportunities.
Participants will gain practical experience in cutting-edge laboratory techniques essential for cell and gene therapy manufacturing. The program introduces the complete lifecycle of a biotechnology company, including academic research, company formation, financing, clinical trials, regulatory approval, and commercial manufacturing. Students will also explore Philadelphia’s vibrant life science ecosystem through tours of local biotech firms and interactions with industry professionals.
Networking sessions will provide opportunities for candid discussions with early-career professionals about their experiences in the biotechnology field. Additionally, students will create a practical roadmap outlining steps for their career advancement and receive support in applying to future programs. The NIIMBL eXperience @Wistar aims to deepen participants’ understanding of the life science industry, inspire confidence in pursuing biotechnology careers, and build professional networks to support their career development.
Download the 2025 NIIMBL eXperience flyer and share this opportunity with students.
Are you interested in hosting NIIMBL eXperience students this summer? The regional NIIMBL eXperience may have openings for you to participate. Contact us to learn more.
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We offer a variety of membership options that give you the flexibility to choose your organization’s level of engagement based on technology interests and priorities.
